Donna in Hollywoodland

Jury Service Continued

I gave myself an entire extra hour to make it to the court house today. And it helped alittle.
Same thing as last time. I got into downtown LA okay. But just try to make it into that free Jury Parking lot.
I kept getting all turned around, and ending up on one way streets that weren't going in the direction I needed to be going in.

I had with me Paperwork. Paperwork to get me out of this long trial.

First, a letter from the Human Resources Department stating Company Policy was to only pay me for 10 days. And after that I was not eligible to be paid.

Second, a letter from me to the judge. I stated that since my company did not pay me for more than 10 days it would be a huge financial hardship to be without pay. I then stated how that I had been treated for breast cancer with surgery and radiation,
and that I had hospital bills totally over $50,000. And that I could absolutely not afford to be without one days pay.
(Yes, thats right - my insurance covered 80%. I have to meet the remaining 20% and that comes to about $50,000 or thereabouts.)

Then my letter went on to state, that since this was a personal injury case I would have to ask to be excused from the trial anyway.
Working in Accounts Payable, I sometimes have had to pay the legal bills for my company to people who have been injured. And that experience would influence my opinion in the case, and I could not be a fair juror.

When I arrived at the courthouse, I waited with the other Jurors in the hallway.
The bailiff came out, and I handed her my envelope and asked her to give it to the Judge.

We were all called into the courtroom.
The Judge said a few words about the next events. Then he said something like "Attorneys for both sides have reviewed and do agree to excuse Juror Donna Grayson. Thank you Miss Grayson for your efforts in this matter."

An I was out that door as quick as I could be.
I must have resembled a Road-Runner cartoon.

Down to the Jury Assembly Room to get my paperwork that showed I was done with this.

The burden of Jury Service off my back, I finally went for a walk in Downtown Los Angeles.
Yes, I took lots of pictures and someday soon they will be up on Flickr.com .

I stopped off at Koo Koo Roo and had lunch.
Then I walked around Downtown Los Angeles, taking pictures.
Until a Security Guard came out to tell me that I could not take pictures of his building.
"OK, I'll leave". I said.
I think the problem was that I was in their Courtyard, and not on the public sidewalk.
"I think you will find that most of the buildings won't let you take pictures." He said.
I guess this is due to terrorist threats. I fail to see how alittle 40-something year old chubby woman taking pictures with a Powershot is a Security Threat.
Not to mention, the buildings and courtyards are just gorgeous. And many contain beautiful sculptures and artwork.
Its a shame for them not to be photographed.

It didn't matter much anyway. I was done with Jury Service. And ready to go back to the daily grind at the office.